Proposed NBA deal has Heat intrigue

November 12, 2011|Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel Columnist

Before the teams' player reps have at it, we take a somewhat Heat-tensive look at the NBA proposal that the league says will trigger a 72-game schedule starting Dec. 15 if accepted this week by the union:

-- From a Heat perspective, the preservation of the current Bird Rights rules is huge. It means Micky Arison, no matter the timing, will have the ability to re-sign all three of the Big Three, won't have to be concerned about making a decision on a previously discussed one-per-year Bird element when it comes to re-upping LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

-- The presence of even a cut-rate mid-level exception should be able to meet the Heat's needs once they progress into the luxury tax. Yes, $3 million a year isn't $5 million, but the lack of a state income tax, enhanced championship visions and daily highs in the lower-80s with a mild sea breeze should be enough to offset extra dollars attached to six icy months in Minnesota.

-- The fact that the "amnesty" provision in the league's latest offer apparently can be utilized at any time over the course of a new agreement essentially stops the clock when it comes to deliberations over Mike Miller. With the Heat in position to avoid the luxury tax if 2011-12 is played, it effectively buys at least a season for Mike Miller to prove he can live up to his mid-level type money. On the flip side, any factor that makes a Mike Miller return more likely also makes a James Jones return that much less likely, unless Jones is willing to play for the minimum.

-- Because of the amnesty-at-will timing in the new proposal, don't expect the floodgates to open with candidates, particularly before the start of a potential upcoming season. Figure on more of a measured approach, perhaps even from a team like the Cavaliers, who might want to get a more complete read on Kyrie Irving before making any rash decisions with Baron Davis.

-- Because there is no denying that the luxury tax will have onerous consequences going forward, it will be particularly interesting to see how the Heat now act with Mario Chalmers, a restricted free agent who is as close as anything the Heat have to a potential starter at point guard. With mid-level money for many teams to move closer to $3 million, can Chalmers be viewed in such company? Chalmers wants to return, but when asked about returning at any price, he backed off unwavering loyalty.

-- A year ago, James made it clear early in the season that he was not in favor of consistently grueling minutes amid the insignificance that is the regular season. That could make Erik Spoelstra's rotations particularly intriguing during a compacted schedule. For a coach who lives mostly in the moment, will he be able to offer the necessary restraint when his team is playing five games in a week? The Heat's lack of quality depth could be telling under such a compacted schedule. And the Riley-like practices most assuredly would become history.

-- Olympic commitments are all well and good now from James, Wade and Bosh. But let's see how they're feeling about London 2012 after Game 7 of the Finals on June 28. Jerry Colangelo would be wise to consider his own issues of quality depth.

IN THE LANE

MEANINGFUL MOMENT: While Sunday's lockout exhibition charity game organized by Dwight Howard in Orlando will mostly be fun and games, for Heat forward Mike Miller there is a purpose to participating in the event at the University of Central Florida. Coming off offseason thumb and shoulder surgeries, Miller said he has been looking to step up his workload, which is among the reasons he toured Hawaii with a group of NBA players recently, visiting military bases there and playing in exhibitions. "I'm still trying to catch up, to be honest with you," he said. "When I went over with the U.S.O., that was part of the reason that I'm trying to do some of these things. I hadn't been big as far as playing pickup in the offseason as much, just seeing where my shoulders are at and my thumbs are at. They feel fantastic right now."

LEBRON HITS THE JCC: It's a good thing the Herbert S. Diamond Basketball League at the Mandel Jewish Community Center in the Cleveland suburb of Beachwood has what organizers call an "open roster" policy, because last Monday, none other than LeBron James decided to take the court for the Novak Insurance team. "People's mouths were just hanging open," Naomi Reich, who was working in member services at the time, told the Cleveland Jewish News. "One person would whisper it, and then another would whisper it, and everyone was piling on downstairs." James signed autographs and posed for a picture before departing.